Joan L. Field

Joan L. Field, 98, of Shelbyville, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Ashford Place Health Campus in Shelbyville.

Born October 14, 1927, in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Warren L. and Alma N. (Cochran) Comstock, Joan was a lifelong resident of Shelby County, where her family roots ran deep through the family farm – Comstock Hill – which has been in the Comstock family for nearly 200 years.

On February 19, 1950, she married Owen M. “Bud” Field Jr., whom she met while they were both attending Franklin College, and he preceded her in death on November 2, 2022. A loving wife, devoted mother, proud grandmother, and adoring great-grandmother, Joan’s heart touched the lives of family, students, colleagues, and countless friends in the community.

After graduating from Flat Rock High School, Joan attended Franklin College earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. In 1954, Joan and Bud began their life on the family farm, where they raised their two children. While raising their two children, Joan began her teaching career at Hendricks Township in 1966 and later joined Southwestern Elementary School as a third-grade teacher. When teaching, she continued her own education, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from Butler University.

Teaching third grade became her passion, and she touched the lives of hundreds of students during her career. Even after her retirement in 1992, she cherished the friendships and fond memories shared with many of her former students.

Joan found great joy in the simple pleasures of life — sewing for her family, tending her flower gardens, traveling with friends, and playing euchre. Her gentle spirit, love of learning, and unwavering devotion to her family will be remembered and treasured by all who knew her.

Joan is survived by her son, Owen M. Field III and wife, Myra, of Chicago, Illinois; daughter, Gina Towler and husband, Jon, of Snellville, Georgia; grandchildren, Alison Rockmann and husband, Kevin, Thomas Towler and wife, April, Daniel Towler and wife, Katy, and Anastasia Field; great-grandchildren, Kip Rockmann, Blake Rockmann, Pearson Towler, Hagen Towler, Owen Towler and Dottie Towler.

In addition to Bud, Joan was preceded in death by her parents and special cousin, Jacqueline Painter.

Joan was a member of Mount Gilead Baptist Church, where she was a member of American Baptist Women; Shelby County Retired Teachers Association; and, Delta Zeta Sorority.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. 

Funeral services will be at 10 am, Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the funeral home, with Pastor Bryan Trotter officiating. Interment will be at Miller Cemetery in Shelby County. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Gilead Baptist Church, 4449 S. Smithland Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or National MS Society, PO Box 91891, Washington, DC 20090-1891 (please include “In memory of Joan Field” on the check memo line) or at https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/memorials?eventID=511.

Online condolences may be shared with Joan’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.